CreditCrunchDad

Buggies/Prams/PushChairs!

Choosing how you are going to push your little one around really must be up there with choosing a car in terms of choice and complexity!

There are so many aspects to keep in mind when choosing your “travel system” as many of these are now grandly described.

After so much time looking at the different options in stores, pushing them around, getting the salesperson to show me how they fold, etc. I feel I can give a few hints and tips about what to look out for when you are doing your own pram search.

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Weight – You will be amazed at how heavy these things can be – they may look all sleek and light but that is generally only for the ones that are for older children that don’t need as much support.  I highly recommend that you get them and try to lift them yourself, you may be surprised.  Keep in mind that you then need to add the weight of a baby, and all of their additional paraphernalia!

Easy of Folding – Because of the complexity of these systems they also have equally complex ways of folding down.  And this is crucial both when you are at home collapsing it so that you can get into the rest of your house, but also if you need to fold them down when travelling (putting them in a boot, closing down for train or bus, etc.)

Length of use – The price of the system has to be balanced against how long it is going to be useful for – you can get some expensive systems that cost a fortune and aren’t useful when baby becomes a toddler.  And have a think about if you plan to have babies in quick succession – some buggies come with the ability to expand to hold two babies/toddlers.

Maneuverability – Again this is another reason why you want to get some hands-on time, some of these systems can turn better on a penny, others will have you cursing when you get to something tricky like a mildly tight corner!  Also check the sort of tyres they have, some can get punctures so it is worthwhile knowing how you can get spares.

Height – There seems to be a trend at the moment for people to have prams that seem to be barely above streetlevel while the parents are shoved back a mile or two!  Not good for backs and not good for parent-baby interaction.  See if you can adjust the height of the handle as well – some can move a lot which helps if mum and dad are significantly different heights.

Facing direction – While baby is lying down you want them facing you – this is when their attention is generally focused on you and they shouldn’t be deprived of that.  And when they are a little older you may want the option of which way they face.

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In the end we managed to get a great deal on eBay for the iCandy Apple which should not only take us through for a good number of years with it’s different seat configurations, but it also has the option for an adaptor which turns it into a double buggy if our original plans of having a number of kids in quick succession becomes reality.

Happy Buggy Hunting!Choosing how you are going to push your little one around really must be up there with choosing a car in terms of choice and complexity!

CreditCrunchDad

Breastfeeding Dad

Yes, yes I know it’s not possible for men to breastfeed, regardless of how large our manboobs may have become, and regardless of how our little ones might have attempted to suckle from us in desperation (and man does it hurt when they hit their mark!)

Seriously though I am talking about what Dads can do when their partner is going through breastfeeding, how they can help and support them, and some things to watch out for.

During the pregnancy we both agreed that if it was possible we’d much prefer to breastfeed the baby, both for the natural goodness and protection that it gives but also for the closeness it would give mum and baby.

But as we know that doesn’t leave a lot for the dads to do!  We see the young one being guided to the boob and there seems to be very little else we can do – apparently staring is off-putting!

But there is actually quite a lot that us non-milk-producers can do to help!  Here are some of the things that I’ve discovered!

- Make them comfortable – There are a number of different positions that your partner might feel comfortable being in when feeding basically either lying down or sitting up.  Lying down is potentially the most comfortable but it can really help if you can place a number of pillows behind her so she has some wiggle room without concern of having to hold herself on her side.

Sitting up is similar, my partner needs a huge amount of pillows behind her, particularly if she is tired.

Breastfeeding is also very thirsty work so make sure that a full bottle of water is to hand, with the lid on loosely so it can be opened one-handed.  Also check any other things that she does to get comfy – my partner’s feet get very hot so if she is in bed she needs the covers off her feet.

- Be supportive – You think that the lack of non-stop sleep is bad on you?  You should thank your stars that you don’t also have to feed the little one in a particular position for what can be an hour+!  So be supportive of her, let her know that what she is doing is right, that she’s doing the best for him and that you’ll do what you can to help.  And if she decides to stop breastfeeding then be supportive again – if she feels she truly can’t continue then it’s best for both of them that

- Help with the winding – That boy needs to get the wind out, and to be part of the process and give mum a break – I’m the man who deals with the winding!  It’s a little thing but I think it makes a difference.

- Get other things done – I found it so satisfying to do the washing up at 3am….  Yes I am a weirdo, but it means I am using the time while he is getting fed to do something useful for everyone and not just seeming like a useless lunk snoring my head off while my partner glares at me as she feeds….

- Encourage getting support – There are lots of breastfeeding support groups out there – find out when they are, where they are and let your partner know.  They may not feel they need the support of other breastfeeding mums but the sharing can make a difference, just try to encourage them to give it a go.

I’ve only been a dad for 3 weeks so please let me know what you have learnt!